BYO to a B&M store, or a no-no?

[Aircooled]

My SO found a little B&M about 20 miles away from us that has a smoking lounge. Not a big deal you say? Well, in this area of California it is. It's almost unheard of!

It's a very small place ... a cottage that has been repurposed, really. But it is in a commercial area with similar setups around it.

The SO stuck her head in the door and was warmly invited in by the lady proprietor. She's more of a n00b than I am even, so she had lots of questions that were all patiently answered. Apparently a nice walk in humi, couches and chairs for partaking. Drats that it is 20 miles away, but sometimes an excuse for an escape...

The SO did ask the pointed question of bringing your own cigars in, and the owner said "no problem" with no qualifiers of buying their stock. Now, I realize the lounge/seating area is for cigar smokers that have purchased their sticks from the store. But, if the owner is okay with it, what's the etiquette? I'm thinking at least a 1:1 of purchased on premises versus the BYO. And, frankly, maybe that's too much. I'm all for supporting independent merchants, but we all know the markups can be astronomical. It costs a crapload to run a business (especially in this state), and overhead ain't cheap.

That said, what do you guys think? Bringing your own at all a bad move? Is there some sort of fair ratio? We or I won't be going all that often to earn a "regular" sort of label, so the frequency will be sporadic based on ability to travel, energy, etc.

TIA ...

 

[MU Mike]

Bring whatever you want, but that lounge is paid for through cigar sales so definitely buy a few cigars before lighting up anything of your own.

 

[cartisdm]

You'll find that it's heavily dependent on each B&M but it looks like you'd be fine with a 1:1 ratio here. I checked out a new B&M a few weeks ago and brought my own stick to smoke "just in case." The guy was very nice and reiterated that he didn't have a problem with me smoking my own. But I sat on his property for an hour and drank his bottled water and watched his TV. I owed him at least some of my business

 

[kockroach]

Agreed....you should always buy a couple of cigars even if bringing your own. The B&M wouldn't be there if they allowed you to bring your own and no one bought anything.

 

[GoingPostal]

Even though the owner is cool with it you should buy from them. Be it a Cigar, Cutter, Etc. As you said it's expensive to run a tobacco shop here in CA. A B&M is a great way to try a single of something before commiting to 5er or box.

 

[Hoshneer]

Its says alot about the owner but I say you gotta buy at least one every time you use the lounge. That even might be pushing it. Its not like there is a cover charge like at a bar. This is a nice lounge paid for by customers. Unless its a special smoke I would buy while I'm there.

 

[RaschNuts]

Everyone kind of hit the nail on the head that if you go in there you should prob buy at least 1 if you bring your own. If you were a regular and there a few times a week and bought all your boxes etc from there I wouldn't say you have to buy one every time but if you won't be there often like you said then the 1:1 should be fine.

 

[Aircooled]

Thanks for the replies. Can't wait to get there and check the place out for myself. And I never considered not buying from the merchant, I was just curious as to how others handle the shops where outside smokes are permitted. They will absolutely get some of my cash if I'm using their lounge.

 

[MU Mike]

Everyone kind of hit the nail on the head that if you go in there you should prob buy at least 1 if you bring your own. If you were a regular and there a few times a week and bought all your boxes etc from there I wouldn't say you have to buy one every time but if you won't be there often like you said then the 1:1 should be fine.

Yes, that changes things and would make it acceptable.

 

[TravelingJ]

Everyone kind of hit the nail on the head that if you go in there you should prob buy at least 1 if you bring your own. If you were a regular and there a few times a week and bought all your boxes etc from there I wouldn't say you have to buy one every time but if you won't be there often like you said then the 1:1 should be fine.

Exactly. I think you will learn/feel the moment when they know you enough, where you can relax a little on it. I keep a small locker for some smokes, and only even see it once every 3-4 months. I was shocked at how fast the guys at the shop seemed to recognize me. A regular doesn't mean you are in there every day, or buying a box a week. Each shop has their own point where you are a guy they know and they don't see you as mooching lounge space.

 

[JVB]

Aside from buying singles or boxes at the B&M, if I'm bringing a box from outside to put in my locker, I almost always make a single stick donation to the owner... they usually smoke too, and a lot of times if it's something they can't get (read: Tat Federal 109) they'll really appreciate it.

 

[KcJason1]

Don't just show up with your own smokes to smoke.. Buy some there even if you don't plan on smoking them that day...

Personally I am not super keen on smoking right out of the walk in because the gars could be very fresh and wet. But I always buy stuff while at a b&m to rest awhile. And 90% of the time I smoke stuff I have had sitting awhile. I believe most b&m's are cool with this as long as you at least buy a few sticks per visit.